Move 9: The Port Capital II

"Those fucking guards!"

"They don't even respect our Lord!"

"How dare they use that tone while talking in front of our Lord!"

"The soldiers here don't even know how to respect!"

"We should teach them a lesson!"

The brothers blurted out after we passed through the gates.

"Should I cut their heads, My Lord?"

Michael followed up while readying to take out his sword from its sheath

"Sighed…"

Oli took a deep breath after he heard the comments of Michael and the brothers.

Their rage was somewhat justifiable.

Baron is one of the Nobles. Though they ranked as the lowest among the Nobility, they were still have a Noble title granted by the King and needed to be treated with respect.

And the guards who inspect them don't even pay respect and use a rude tone while talking to Oli even if he was introduced as a Baron from the Vedrain Kingdom.

Oli was about to side with the sentiment of Michael and the brothers, but he looked down. More specifically, on the clothes he was wearing.

Oli was wearing a white tunic, the same as Michael and the brothers.

And tunics were specifically clothes for commoners, not for Nobles.

Oli had no choice but to use this type of clothing.

The castle of Leefside, home of the previous Baron, got destroyed because of the attacks of soldiers from Credia Empire. The things related to the previous Baron were either burned or taken by the soldiers.

Oli could not wear his casual clothing, which was pants and a shirt.

It would surely get unwanted attention.

At this time and moment, attention is the last thing he wants.

And second, honor is one of the significant aspects of the people of Chronos.

The King of Vedrain indulged himself in alcohol and carnal desires while the Nobles locked themselves in the capital in the Vedrain Kingdom, fearing that the Solon Kingdom would attack.

Forgetting their obligation to protect their lands and lead their people.

So, when people heard that they were from the Vedrain Kingdom, what's more, a Noble, people tend to look at and treat them differently.

"Sighed. Forget it. We're not here to find trouble. As much as possible, I don't want us to gather unnecessary attention that could hinder our plan on why we're here.

Is that clear?"

Oli said and looked at the men behind him.

Michael and the brothers bowed their heads and "Yes, My Lord!" said in unison.

Oli smiled and said, "Then, let's go."

After that, Oli continued to walk forward.

***

The port capital of Baijan Kingdom, Kuku, was a coastal city located in the Eastern part of the Kingdom.

Kuku has access to the Caspian Sea that connects to the other Kingdoms, especially the number one ally and trading partner of the Baijan Kingdom, the Literra Empire.

Oli looked in awe after they came to see the inside of Kuku.

The houses and stores were all made of bricks and different kinds of logs.

And on the Western part of Kuku located the man-made hill where the castle–the home of the King of Baijan stood tall while showing its majesty to anyone who was looking at it.

While in the distance, the Stancona sea could be seen and ships owned by the merchants from different Kingdoms and boats owned by the locals docked in the port.

Then Oli looked at the streets.

It was dazzling as people were trading their owned goods with others.

If Oli were to compare Kuku, it's like a developing city on Earth.

"We're here now. So… What are we going to do next, My Lord?"

After they recovered from their dazedness, Zeck asked.

"For now, we should look for our lodging. We spent our journey sleeping outside, and I am sure our bodies were seeking the warmth of the bed. We should use the remaining time to rest our bodies.

And tomorrow, we're going to find a merchant capable and wealthy enough to trade with us. Michael, please."

Oli said as he looked at Michael.

"Yes, My Lord. I know someone who's a tavern owner. He's a close friend of mine, and we can use his room for the time being. Please, follow me."

Michael said.

Oli and the brothers followed Michael.

***

Oli's group was now walking in the dark alleys.

Oli was new here, so he didn't know where exactly they were now.

While walking, Oli noticed some men standing on every corner of the alley, but he shrugged it off as they didn't do anything. The men were only looking at them with suspicious eyes.

"We're here."

Michael announces as they stop at the front door of the building.

[Beer House]

Oli read the sign of the building.

"Let's come in."

Michael says and opens the door, and a loud sound of the bell resounds.

"Who the fuck was that?! We're closed!"

A deep voice of a man resounded at the counter.

"Closed? I thought it's always open for me?"

Michael replied.

"WHAT?! THIS FUCKER!!"

The man angrily shouted.

Clang! Clang!

Then a sound of cups was heard and a grunt of a man trying to get up.

"WHAT DID YOU SAY?! HUH?! REPEAT IT, BUT THIS TIME ON MY FACE! YOU FUCKER!."

A bulky man with a beard emerged from the counter. He had just woken up. And from his right hand was a bottle of rum.

"Sighed. You still have not changed. You are still the same, Sir Eli."

Michael said.

When the man heard what Michael said, he awoke from his half-state sleep and began to narrow his eyes.

As if recognizing Michael, the man's eyes widened, and dropped the bottle he was holding.

"M-Michael??"

He said.

"It's me, Sir Eli. It's been a while, I think."

Michael replied.

"HAHAHAHAHAHA!"

Eli burst into laughter after Michael said that.

"It's been a while indeed! How are you? Damn! You look thinner. Are you eating properly, huh? Anyway, what are you doing here? If I recall, you are still protecting your wife–."

Eli stopped talking midway as if he was about to say something that he should not say.

"Hahahaha… It's okay. We're here because we got some business to do here. Oh, forgot to introduce...

This My Lord, Baron Oli Von Alexander. The new Baron of the Leefside village."